2018 Contender 25S — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $65,000–$95,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
Contender builds serious offshore center consoles with exceptional hull quality for the price. The 25S is a legitimate offshore boat — handles 3-4 foot seas well. It's also the kind of boat that sees hard use from serious anglers. Inspect the offshore rigging and twin outboards thoroughly.
Known Issues for the 2018 Contender 25S
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
Two outboards means double the annual service cost. Verify records for both engines — lower unit oil, impeller, and spark plugs annually.
Repair cost range: $600-$4,000 annual service for both
Serious offshore boats have extensive rigging — outriggers, rod holders, downriggers. Salt water corrodes everything. Inspect all hardware and wiring.
Repair cost range: $300-$2,000
T-top welds and leaning post pedestals stress and corrode on offshore boats. Inspect all welds and mounting points.
Repair cost range: $500-$2,000
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Either outboard with no service records
- ✗Corrosion on rigging hardware, wiring, or bilge components
- ✗T-top with cracked welds or separated mounting points
Good Signs
- ✓Yamaha dealer service history for both outboards showing annual maintenance
- ✓Regular freshwater flush of engines and hull rinse documented
- ✓All electronics and rigging hardware functioning correctly
Found a specific Contender 25S?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Contender 25S in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.